It’s not easy to make an impression as a seventh-round draft pick, but Cooper Hodges is also hard to miss.
The 6’3, 311-pound rookie offensive tackle from nearby Baker County has taken it upon himself to pump up training camp attendees with high fives and even an occasional cartwheel. Hodges has managed to stand out on the field too.
“Cooper has brought a physicality,” Jaguars offensive coordinator Press Taylor said of the rookie. “He brings a physical aspect. That’s been the one thing as these young guys continue to adjust to the speed of the game and the amount of offense we have in, he’s done a good job of just being physical.
“At the end of the day, that’s a huge part of this game and playing offensive line. He certainly has that element. Now, it’s just about continuing to get better every single day and these games are a little different than practice, so we’ll see as we get into this aspect of it, what it looks like for him.”
Hodges picked up plenty of experience at the collegiate level, starting 51 consecutive games and earning All-Sun Belt honors in four straight seasons at Appalachian State. In more than 3,100 offensive snaps played with the Mountaineers, Pro Football Focus credited Hodges with allowing just three sacks.
In Jacksonville, Hodges has some tough competition for a roster spot with Cam Robinson, Walker Little, and Anton Harrison all at the top of the depth chart.
So far, though, Hodges is doing all the things to make a good first impression.
